Bill Standen
Member
Yep. There's some very significant downgrades of the base product to distinguish the subscription only Pro version at the higher price point. Snapshot rollbacks and Linked Clones are now also Pro exclusive features.
Very poor form IMO.
Very poor form IMO.
It's a particularly odious form of market segmentation, since it costs Parallels nothing to support such features in both standard and Pro versions. What they've chosen to move to Pro is based entirely on their subjective ideas of what "power users" and "developers" will need.
And bear in mind that the software gets disabled when your Pro subscription expires (as confirmed by Parallels on Twitter, although there's no mention of it on their website or in this forum).
So opting for the Pro version to get back the features you once had also means that your only choice is to rent the software rather than own it from now on. They're expecting us to pay annually in perpetuity for the work they've done on this version.
And bear in mind that the software gets disabled when your Pro subscription expires (as confirmed by Parallels on Twitter, although there's no mention of it on their website or in this forum).
So opting for the Pro version to get back the features you once had also means that your only choice is to rent the software rather than own it from now on. They're expecting us to pay annually in perpetuity for the work they've done on this version.
Unfortunately, the "subscription software" business model is becoming more and more
prevalent and many vendors make their non-subscription products crippled so that most
people are forced to pay for the subscription (i.e. ball and chain) product. Some, like Adobe
with their "Creative Cloud" don't even offer a cripple ware version. Even Microsloth is trying
to force the subscription direction with their Office products.
In some respects, that model is a good thing for those that only need a product for one project
and will never use it again but is bad for those who use something day in and day out for months and years.
The "free product upgrade" hook is also a ruse as the vendors selling the "ball and chain ware" will never release
a new product before an upgrade cycle ends. Even if they do, you still have to keep paying to use it.
BTW, it would not surprise me that VMWare will also move in the same direction in the future.
prevalent and many vendors make their non-subscription products crippled so that most
people are forced to pay for the subscription (i.e. ball and chain) product. Some, like Adobe
with their "Creative Cloud" don't even offer a cripple ware version. Even Microsloth is trying
to force the subscription direction with their Office products.
In some respects, that model is a good thing for those that only need a product for one project
and will never use it again but is bad for those who use something day in and day out for months and years.
The "free product upgrade" hook is also a ruse as the vendors selling the "ball and chain ware" will never release
a new product before an upgrade cycle ends. Even if they do, you still have to keep paying to use it.
BTW, it would not surprise me that VMWare will also move in the same direction in the future.
GrinningShark
Junior Member
Sounds to me like the Pro version is just a cash grab to get people locked into a subscription. Companies know that people don't always upgrade when a new version, the subscription just guarantees them a consistent inflow of cash.
I almost upgraded to the non-subscription version and then read all the post here about missing features that are currently in V10 that I used a lot. Basically, if I want those features I have with V10 and am interested in V11... I have to move to the annual subscription model and keep paying forever. Why can't a non-subscription of pro be offered? I only see the subscription model as a way to keep customers on the hook and I'd prefer not to rent software and have the plug pulled on me if I decide the rental value is just not there anymore. And, trying to tell me that pro comes with "free upgrades" and is kind of silly. Nothing is "free" when you are on a subscription, you are paying to use and if you stop paying you get cut-off. Such a shame the software is going in this direction. I guess I will stick with V10.
I have 2 licensed copies of the software (one for my laptop and one for my desktop) and after the first year of the subscription is up, $99/computer is a tough pill to swallow. I have upgraded every year since V6 and now if I want all the same features, I'll be shelling out $200/annually to cover the two systems I use and if I stop paying, I am basically DOA. That's more money than I pay to upgrade each year.
Oh well, guess it's time to move on.
I almost upgraded to the non-subscription version and then read all the post here about missing features that are currently in V10 that I used a lot. Basically, if I want those features I have with V10 and am interested in V11... I have to move to the annual subscription model and keep paying forever. Why can't a non-subscription of pro be offered? I only see the subscription model as a way to keep customers on the hook and I'd prefer not to rent software and have the plug pulled on me if I decide the rental value is just not there anymore. And, trying to tell me that pro comes with "free upgrades" and is kind of silly. Nothing is "free" when you are on a subscription, you are paying to use and if you stop paying you get cut-off. Such a shame the software is going in this direction. I guess I will stick with V10.
I have 2 licensed copies of the software (one for my laptop and one for my desktop) and after the first year of the subscription is up, $99/computer is a tough pill to swallow. I have upgraded every year since V6 and now if I want all the same features, I'll be shelling out $200/annually to cover the two systems I use and if I stop paying, I am basically DOA. That's more money than I pay to upgrade each year.
Oh well, guess it's time to move on.
I have a similar situation as do you. IF the subscription model of Parallels would support a desktop installation
and a laptop installation on the same license, it would be a less difficult pill to swallow. At least Adobe with their
Creative Cloud ball and chain model supports at least this much (as did their CS6 and earlier purchased products).
Some of the power user features pushed into the ball and chain pro model were quite useful. However, things
like included Parallels Access as part of the package is totally useless for me.
So I am in quite a dilemma as to whether to upgrade or not this time (as I had every release since PD2) as I want
to keep some of the "Pro" features but not be stuck to a ball and chain. And by all accounts, it looks like there will likely
be no choice as update support for PD10 will be dropped.
Maybe I'll just wait to see if there are major issues with PD10 with El Capitan (which I am sure is very likely).
As to moving to VW Ware, been there, done that, and product sucked and moved to PD as it outperformed
VMWare hands down in my use. Perhaps it may be time to do a re-evalution to see IF A SWITCH IS IN THE CARDS.
This is not related to the OP but I'm confused with some of the above. The other day I was informed of the upgrade to v11 (Parallels Desktop) so I took it but according to the software I have a 'Permanent License' so I am assuming from this that I don't need to pay annually (for v11 at least). Or am I missing something?
GrinningShark
Junior Member
I also wish they would allow an install on two seperate systems. I do subscribe to Adobe's photography bundle and have that installed on my laptop and my desktop. Plus I can deactivate either and easily move one to a different system.
It would be ideal if Parallels would support that or at least offer a reasonably priced perpetual version. However, I doubt they are going to do that.
The "permanent license" only means that you will be able to run the Parallels application
as long as your hardware and OS X version on it will allow you. As opposed to a subscription
license where if you don't pay the subscription fee when the subscription runs out, the app ceases to work.
The vendors which provide perpetual app licenses, i.e. free version upgrades (not minor updates) when available, for single one
time payment are few and far between. Personally, I only have one application that has done that.
This downgrade in Parallels product and service, forced me to take the decision to throw paralles out.
Just installed windows 10 with bootcamp, no problem, and filesharing between both partitions is possible.
I hope that bootcamp will evolve that both systems can run simultaniously. This would mean the end of PD.
I do not think vmware fusion is a good alternative for PD.
At least i'm not giving in to Parallels greedy license policy.
Just installed windows 10 with bootcamp, no problem, and filesharing between both partitions is possible.
I hope that bootcamp will evolve that both systems can run simultaniously. This would mean the end of PD.
I do not think vmware fusion is a good alternative for PD.
At least i'm not giving in to Parallels greedy license policy.
GrinningShark
Junior Member
I was not looking for free upgrades, just to offer the same upgrade options they have for the past several years. I have no problem paying for upgrades, just do not want to be locked into a subscription to continue using the software... especially when it is $49 a year and then appears to go up to $99 a year after that, which is more expensive than their usual upgrade pricing.
I do want the Pro version since it has a few features that I need that were removed from the standard version.
I even mentioned this when I was posting about the 8gb RAM issue elsewhere - I would pay a bit more for a Pro version that truly gave me more, if I could just buy a damn license. The whole logic here is backwards - you get a dumbed-down "home" version that you can use forever, or a "Pro" version that will shut off COMPLETELY if you stop paying. Of course, it's more of a detriment to a "pro user" if the software shuts down, so Parallels really is just trying to get us over a barrel.
Moreover, their advertising and communications made it SEEM like we were upgrading from PD10 to the "same product" in PD11, with "Pro" being an enhanced version - whereas in reality, PD11 was a downgrade to a lower-tier version, and Pro was pretty much the product we were all used to.
Nonetheless, Parallels processed my refund today and I don't think I'll be back. I picked up a copy of Fusion and hopefully Fusion 8 will work OK with El Capitan - but I agree with EllwoodN - as it stands today, the VMWare product is inferior. A shame, because VMWare has been kind of a pioneer in this segment, and Fusion has been around a long time. They've really dropped the ball with it.
Either way, I am making the switch - I'd rather have a slightly slower product versus buy from a company that plays tricks and messes with their customers.
We need to remember that Parallels has a history of doing stuff like this. It's a company culture, and it keeps getting worse. At least in the post below on the 8 to 9 upgade they say they'd still support 8 - as far as it seems to me, they've pretty much said in writing that they're gonna drop PD10 support (win10, El Capitan) like a hot rock.
https://forum.parallels.com/threads/parallels-8-upgrade-to-parallels-9-complain-page.290567/
http://arstechnica.com/information-...access-to-windows-apps-on-ipad-for-80-a-year/
GrinningShark
Junior Member
I am going to jump to VMWare also, just been unhappy with dumb decisions for Parallels. It is inferior in some ways, but their licensing it much better and they don't have a subscription model. My guess is that they won't shift to subscription, they have been doing this longer than anyone else and hopefully they know their customers and listen to them like I remember. I used to use VMWare on a PC when it first came out many years ago. I moved to Mac in 2011 and found Parallels to be a good option and recommended by many. I have used VirtualBox also on the PC and Mac, but its performance isn't that not.
Maybe its just me, it feels like a subscription model and VM software aren't a good fit.
I've downloaded the VMWare Pro trial and will start working with it next week. Will see
if it has improved from what it was like years ago. Their "Pro" version is a perpetual license!!!!
Also, I found the Parallels comparisons to VMWare misleading as well. Parallels compares
their subscription "Pro version" to the VMWare base version!!!!!!!
if it has improved from what it was like years ago. Their "Pro" version is a perpetual license!!!!
Also, I found the Parallels comparisons to VMWare misleading as well. Parallels compares
their subscription "Pro version" to the VMWare base version!!!!!!!
I'm with you guys.
I usually upgrade every single new release on the first day. I don't mind paying the upgrade price every year.
But, removing features from the base product and making them available only in a "Pro" subscription-only version is just wrong. I feel cheated and won't be upgrading this time.
I'm currently running version 10 on El Captian without any problems, so I'll keep using this version until some future OS X version breaks compatibility, then I'll move on to a different solution if Parallels hasn't changed their minds in between.
I usually upgrade every single new release on the first day. I don't mind paying the upgrade price every year.
But, removing features from the base product and making them available only in a "Pro" subscription-only version is just wrong. I feel cheated and won't be upgrading this time.
I'm currently running version 10 on El Captian without any problems, so I'll keep using this version until some future OS X version breaks compatibility, then I'll move on to a different solution if Parallels hasn't changed their minds in between.
